The appearance of water sprouts and suckers often mars the vibrant beauty of lush, healthy Virginia trees. While water sprouts and suckers may look harmless, they can threaten a tree’s health and stability if left unchecked.
This article will discuss what water sprouts and suckers convey about your tree’s health and provide advice on how to remove them and prevent further growth.
Water Sprouts and Suckers – Key Takeaways
- Water sprouts and suckers are upright shoots that trees produce in response to stress or injury.
- Water sprouts develop on the trunk and branches of trees, while suckers grow from roots or the tree’s base.
- Water sprouts and suckers can crowd the canopy of trees, reduce flowering and fruiting, and make trees more susceptible to wind and ice damage.
- It is essential to determine the underlying cause of water sprouts and suckers and address it, rather than just removing them, to prevent their regrowth.
What are Water Sprouts and Suckers?
Water sprouts are typically described as shoots that develop on the trunk and branches of trees, while suckers grow from the roots or base. They develop from latent nodes and typically occur due to stress or injury.
Identifying the underlying causes of water sprouts and suckers makes it possible to control their growth effectively. Additionally, understanding why they develop is the first step to preventing water sprouts and suckers from becoming a nuisance.
What Causes Water Sprouts and Suckers to Grow on Trees?
Injury from storm damage, root loss, soil compaction, topping, disease, over-pruning, or drought can cause water sprouts to grow on trees. These sprouts are problematic, as they can crowd the tree’s canopy, reduce flowering and fruiting, alter the tree’s structure, and make it more susceptible to wind and ice damage. Water sprouts are ubiquitous in northern Virginia, as crabapple, oak, maple, and dogwood trees often have numerous water sprouts in their crowns. Identifying and eliminating the cause is paramount to keep water sprouts and suckers from regrowing.
Thinning out water sprouts and shortening them are two methods that can be used to control their growth. Thinning out sprouts helps create more space in the tree’s canopy, while trimming sprouts can slow their regeneration and growth. In some cases, it may be possible to strategically prune water sprouts into permanent branches over several seasons to replace weak branches in the canopy.
The best way to manage water sprouts on trees is by maintaining tree health through proper culture and pruning.
Sucker growth is often the result of damage or other trauma. The ash suckers here are the result of an emerald ash borer infestation.
Should I Remove Water Sprouts and Suckers?
Removing water sprouts and suckers from trees is often necessary to maintain the health and structure of the tree. Water sprouts are upright shoots that grow on the trunk and branches of a tree and can crowd the canopy, reduce flowering and fruiting, alter plant structure, make the tree more susceptible to wind and ice damage, and look unsightly. Pruning water sprouts is a common tree healthcare practice, but it should be done judiciously.
Thinning water sprouts so that they are spaced apart and grow away from the trunk and permanent branches is one option. Shortening water sprouts is another option to keep them from getting too long and slow their growth and regeneration. Shortened water sprouts may also be pruned into strong limbs over several seasons to replace weak limbs in the tree’s crown.
It is important to remember that if too many sprouts are cut off at once, they will grow back. Additionally, some tree species naturally produce more water sprouts than others and may require regular pruning to create and maintain good structure.
To keep water sprouts from returning, it is important to determine the cause of the sprouting and fix it. Simply removing them without correcting the underlying issue will usually result in sprouts promptly growing back. If a tree has many water sprouts, it is usually best to leave some of them as they can help the tree rebuild its energy reserves.
How to Prevent Water Sprouts and Suckers
Prevention of water sprouts on trees is possible by attending to the tree’s health and pruning judiciously. Proper care and maintenance of trees will reduce the likelihood of stress and trauma that can cause water sprouts and suckers.
Trees should be planted in well-draining soil and be given adequate water and light. Pruning should be done in moderation as removing too much foliage at once can cause stress and lead to water sprout growth. Pruning during dormancy can prevent water sprouts from developing.
If a tree is already suffering from water sprouts, it is necessary to determine the cause of the problem and address it. Sometimes, the underlying issue is beyond the homeowner’s control, such as storm damage or root loss. However, steps can be taken to reduce soil compaction, avoid over-pruning, and prevent disease with proper care and maintenance.
As mentioned, some tree species such as crabapples, maples, and dogwoods are more prone to producing water sprouts than others. If a homeowner has a tree of one of these species, they should be prepared to regularly thin out the water sprouts or shorten them to keep the tree healthy and strong.
It may also be necessary to remove suckers that grow from the tree’s base. Suckers should be cut back to the point where they emerge from a root or the stem, as leaving a stub can worsen the problem. Herbicides should not be used for this purpose, as they can harm the parent plant.
To avoid water sprouts and suckers on trees, keeping trees healthy and providing proper care and maintenance is essential. Pruning should be done judiciously and in moderation, and any suckers that appear should be removed promptly. With the correct care, trees can be kept healthy, strong, and free from water sprouts and suckers.
Sucker growth from the base of a tree. Photo used courtesy of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Forestry, Bugwood.org.
Water Sprouts and Suckers – Frequently Asked Questions
Are water sprouts and suckers damaging to trees?
Water sprouts and suckers can damage trees, crowd the canopy, reduce flowering and fruiting, alter plant structure, and make trees more susceptible to wind and ice damage. Ultimately, both can look unsightly.
Is it better to leave water sprouts and suckers alone or remove them?
It is generally best to leave some water sprouts on trees and thin out the others instead of removing them all. Doing so can help the tree restore energy reserves and reduce crowding, wind, and ice damage.
Are there any natural ways to reduce water sprouts and suckers?
The best way to reduce water sprouts and suckers is to maintain a healthy tree through proper culture and pruning. Correcting the underlying cause of the issue is essential to prevent further sprouting. Regularly thinning and shortening sprouts can also help reduce their occurrence.
Does topping a tree increase the risk of water sprouts and suckers?
Topping a tree can increase the risk of water sprouts and suckers, as it can cause stress and injury to the tree, leading to dormant buds in the bark to be activated.
Are there any chemical treatments for water sprouts and suckers?
Some chemical treatments for water sprouts and suckers exist, such as synthetic auxins and herbicides. However, their effectiveness is not guaranteed and can harm the tree if misused. Pruning and healthy tree care are often the best preventative measures.
Water Sprouts and Suckers – Final Thoughts
Water sprouts and suckers can be a sign of stress or injury to trees and should be addressed to prevent further damage. Proper pruning and cultural practices should be implemented to ensure trees are healthy and prevent water sprouts’ growth.
Water sprouts should be thinned if present, and suckers should be removed as soon as they appear, like a weed in a garden. Following these steps can help protect trees from further damage and ensure they remain healthy and beautiful.
Need Help with Water Sprouts and Suckers?
Call ZZ Tree at 804-688-7099 today. Our expert pruning and trimming service can get rid of water sprouts and suckers, and since we do it right, we’ll keep them from coming back. See why we’re the top choice for tree service in Northern and Central Virginia from Winchester to Richmond!
About ZZ Tree
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